Toon open talks with Swiss star

Jun 29 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE have opened talks over a move for Swiss starlet Eren Derdiyok.

The Sunday Sun has learned that United officials first met with representatives of the 20-year-old FC Basel striker in London last week.

And after further positive discussions, everything is set for the Magpies to move in with a firm bid and imminently land the youngest player to feature at Euro 2008.

Derdiyok, whose parents are Turkish, is also attracting interest from Besiktas and Fenerbahce, but neither club could match the wages on offer from Newcastle.

News of United’s decisive move for Derdiyok comes as St Etienne insist another confirmed target, Bafetimbi Gomis, is staying with them.

“Gomis and (team-mate) Pascal Feindouno are untransferrable,” said St Etienne co-president Laurent Romeyer. “With Gomis, Feindouno will belong to this club next season.”